K-State boosts sports budget

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Kansas State will have an athletics budget of $51.46 million in the coming fiscal year, a 9.4-percent increase from 2011.

K-State released its 2012 budget on Thursday, the final day of Fiscal Year 2011. Financial information for 2010-11 is still being calculated, but athletic director John Currie said the athletic department expects to have a balanced budget.

The budget increases reflect rising tuition costs, coaching compensation and facility projects, Currie said in a release on the school's website.

K-State projects $14 million in Big 12 and NCAA revenue for FY 2012, which accounts for 27 percent of the budget. Ahearn Fund giving is projected at $12.7 million, followed by revenue from football tickets ($10.6 million) and men's basketball tickets ($3.3 million).

Roughly 2 percent of the budget -- $1 million -- comes from state and university funding, which the school will phase out in the coming years. The rest comes from revenue generated by the department and private contributions.

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Can you explain how turning the lights off reduces student to teacher ratios or positively impacts education in any fashion? Do you honestly think that athletics raises academic costs or pulls money AWAY from teacher resources? If so, you haven't done your research. I'm a child of two college professors, so I'm certainly in favor of education. But what do you think K-State (or KU, or any other similar university) would be like without athletics? Facts are important. Seek them out.

As for sports having no real use or application in life, that's a matter of opinion. How many kids have improved their situation in life via sports? How many kids have learned to be competitive, to not give up when they are defeated, and to utilize teamwork, etc. from playing sports? How many student athletes have learned to manage their time effectively by balancing academic and athletic demands? And how many friendships have been forged by enjoying time together on the field? Sports are not the only path to these lessons, but sports are surely ONE of the worthy and well documented paths to these benefits. Open your mind - you'll be a better teacher as a result.

I think that the current small percentage from (what I believe are) public funds is about right. The fact that they are eliminating that and letting athletics stand on their own is even better. 2% on athletics? That's nothing to complain about considering what we get in return.

complaints about athletes. I have first hand knowledge of this issue. There are some kids that get to go to college because of their athletic skill. That is a good thing. I know at least at the DI level many athletic programs contribute millions of dollars to the general scholarship funds, monies that go to students not involved in sports. That is a good thing. I also know there are complaints about how athletes get pampered, don't have to go to class, etc. Does that happen? Yes. I also know the sacrifice many of these kids make to excell at their sport. Not only do the athletes have to carry at least 12 hours per semester, they also often practice 20 hours per week, not inluding visits to the trainer, etc. Then there might be the 8 hours of mandatory study hall by which time the student could be up to 40 hours per week. Practice early in the morning before class, and in the afternoon after class. Usually at elast one practice on Saturday. They can't get a part time job for spending money because their schedule does not allow them time for that.

They often don't have a summer job because they are still training at least 20 hours each week, year round. Most athletes earn their scholarships if they have been fortunate to receive one. They also contribute to the overall college experience. We always read about the ones that have been busted for this thing or that thing. But the vast majority are great kids who have more self discipline and commitment than the average college student. Oh yes, I beleve you will also find that a great many of them are also great students.

Well put Trout....Who ever heard of Nebraska before they had a successful football program anyway....No one !!....and no one would care to this day. That recognition stimulates enrollment, in turn is very health for any University overall.